
6.1 A Summary of Research on Medical Marijuana for Neuropathic Facial Pain

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Trigeminal Neuralgia Association Australia are delighted to provide our link to the webinar presented by Dr Jeremy Russell in Dec 2022.
This webinar completes our program for 2022
Dr Jeremy Russell is one off our distinguished Medical Board Advisors, and has generously provided his time and expertise to assist all sufferers of trigeminal neuralgia.
 TNAA Webinar – Dr Jeremy Russell Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment Options – YouTube
Our Vice President and Tasmania support group leader, Helen Tyzack, updated her group about neuromodulation for trigeminal neuralgia back in 2021. She has provided the information she gathered, and we hope it may provide education and understanding about this treatment
Neuromodulation. In italics below I have added the contents of emails I previously sent to all those on my database. The first email was dated 22nd May 2021.
Yesterday it was exciting to watch and listen to the Webinar from the USA at 9am; chaired by the president of the Facial Pain Association of America Dr Jeffrey Brown interviewing a Member of their Medical Board, Dr Konstantin, (an expert in neuromodulation of facial pain). Previously, thanks to member Peter, I had sent you the information for you to link in. I received an immediate response yesterday from Peter after the Webinar and I wonder how many others took up this excellent opportunity.
 This free opportunity was excellent but whether it was useful depends on your circumstances. So, what did I learn?   In brief,
Main point:Â Not every treatment will work for every person. No treatment will work all the time.
 I am fortunate at the moment not to be taking medications or in pain. But I am mindful that the time will come when the pain returns. This Webinar was helpful because I now know more about my options for managing the pain. In Tasmania where would I go for advice? I would be talking with members of the Trigeminal Neuralgia Associations of Australiaâs Medical Advisory Board.
My second email was dated 10th August.
A few months ago, I told you I had listened to/watched webinars on the topic of Neuromodulation as a treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia pain. Afterwards, I set out to determine if a specialist might come to Tasmania and talk to people in our Support Group and any others who might be interested.
Since then, I have been exchanging emails with Dr Nick Christelis, the President of the Neuromodulation Society of Australia and New Zealand. Recently, we talked by phone about the options, but a visit to Tasmania by a specialist to meet with TN sufferers is not on the cards. However –Â
Firstly:
Nick confirmed there was not a specialist in Tasmania, but he explained that he had used neuromodulation on patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia. He would welcome contact from any Tasmanian sufferers and be prepared to do an initial Telehealth consultation. His contact details are on the website: https://painspecialistsaustralia.com.au and his consultation and surgical location is within Warringal Private Hospital in the Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria. Phone 1300 798 682. If you read through this page and watch the video, then you will understand more about the services he offers. His site has this to say about Nick:
Nick now practices 100% within the field of pain medicine. He is an interventional pain specialist combining a multidisciplinary team approach with advanced pain interventional techniques like nerve and joint blocks, epidural injections, radiofrequency ablation, pulsed radiofrequency, spinal cord stimulation and other advanced neuromodulation techniques.
Secondly:
Nick explained that a quarterly webinar is offered from within his organisation and can be accessed on the bellow link
Please note that I have no experience of neuromodulation and no experience of Nick’s capabilities, so this email is not meant to be a recommendation. Rather, I am letting you know about this option, in case neuromodulation is a process which could improve your quality of life.Â
If you decide to try this, I would be very interested to know what the process is and all the ins and outs. Not to mention whether it was useful for you and reduced, removed your pain. I am sure other sufferers would also be interested so please keep me posted.Â
For facial pain sufferers in other mainland states, I recommend you read through the Neuromodulation Society of Australia and New Zealand website to find specialists close to you.
Extra Q&A after the recent webinar on neuromodulation pain management produced by the USA Facial Pain Association
1. Can a TENS unit applied somewhere help? Is the concept of neuromodulation similar to using a TENS unit? thank you.
The TENS is indeed one of the types of neuromodulation, and we do recommend trying it in patients who can tolerate placement electrodes onto painful regions. It tends to be much less effective than other neuromodulation approaches, but is definitely worth trying due to its low invasiveness. Keep in mind, that pain that does not respond to TENS may still be relieved by invasive neuromodulation with implanted devices.
2. Explain the relationship between neuromodulation and neuroplasticity?
Neuromodulation in many ways relies on neuroplasticity â we are trying to modify neural activity by adding neuromodulation signals, and neural plasticity plays a major role in cooling down hyperactive parts of the nervous system that are responsible for development of pain in the first place.
3. âExplain foramen ovale stimulation?â Whatâs the difference
I am not aware of âforamen ovale stimulationâ â most likely, the procedure which is referred here is the stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion (Gasserian ganglion) that is reached through foramen ovale. This approach is known for many years but is rarely used, mostly because it is difficult to keep electrodes in that location as they tend to migrate over time. In principle, however, the trigeminal ganglion stimulation is a very effective approach to control neuropathic facial pain and may be considered if the pain involves several trigeminal branches at once.
4. Can it be used for a patient with a pacemaker?
Yes, neuromodulation can be used in presence of pacemakers and defibrillators. Your doctors need to be aware of these devices so the proper precautions may be made in choosing the device and its location in the body.
5. What is the success related to pain as a result of acoustic neuroma surgery/radiosurgery?
The mere presence of acoustic neuromas, the surgery to remove the tumor, and sometimes radiosurgery for the tumor may result in development of facial pain. Sometimes it presents as secondary trigeminal neuralgia and its treatment resembles trigeminal neuralgia management algorithm, but in some cases the patients develop trigeminal neuropathic pain or occipital neuralgia, and these conditions may great indications for neuromodulation.
6. Would it help with Geniculate Neuralgia?
The pain of geniculate neuralgia has not been investigated as an indication for neuromodulation, or at least I have not heard of it. The classical geniculate neuralgia may require either microvascular decompression or, more often, an open rhizotomy of nervus intermedius â this is what I normally recommend to my patients.
7. Once implanted, can the patient stop taking medications?
Yes, it is possible â but we usually start considering weaning pain medications only after the patients report symptomatic improvement from neuromodulation. Majority of patients are able to significantly reduce the amount of their pain-relieving medications as a result.
8. How much experience does Dr Slavin has with this? How many has Dr Slavin done?
Neuromodulation is a large part of my practice ever since I completed my fellowship in 1999 â and I do between 100 and 150 neuromodulation surgeries every year. Very few of these surgeries are done for facial pain as most facial pain patients I see end up having other interventions, including microvascular decompressions, percutaneous rhizotomy, radiosurgery, etc. Most neuromodulation surgeries in my practice are still done for pain in lower back and extremities, Parkinson disease and tremor, epilepsy and other functional neurosurgical conditions.
9. If I had an MVD without any pain relief, would this help?
Neuromodulation is generally recommended for trigeminal neuropathic pain and not for trigeminal neuralgia. If the patientâs typical trigeminal neuralgia did not improve with microvascular decompression, we would usually consider either repeating the decompression or proceeding with percutaneous interventions. If the pain is non-neuralgic but rather neuropathic in nature, neuromodulation would be an appropriate thing to consider.
10. Are the electrodes ever implanted into the brain and if so, where?
The brain stimulation for facial pain is usually reserved for patients with anesthesia dolorosa â the electrodes are placed either over the surface of the brain (so called motor cortex stimulation) or in the depth of the brain in the area of thalamus or brainstem (so called deep brain stimulation).
11. I am just finishing TMS therapy. It has not helped me. I like Dr. Brownâs suggestion to âadjust the magnet.â How can the Dr. find the correct âspotâ for neuropathic pain?
It may be challenging to find the right spot for TMS. We usually recommend finding the face representation in the contralateral motor cortex or focusing stimulation at pre-motor area (which is used for treatment of depression).
12. Following left craniotomy for Trigeminal Schwannoma I have a mix of numbness on lower jaw but extremely sensitive and continuous pain on temple, cheek, and upper jaw. Is the neuro modulation compatible when both numbness and sensitivity are combined?
To answer your question, it would be important to find out whether the numbness is complete or partial. Stimulation of peripheral branches may help in case of partial numbness. Complete numbness may necessitate stimulation of the uppermost cervical spinal cord, the deep brain structures or the motor cortex.
13. Hi, I have a question from the webinar. Dr. Slavin described neuromodulation, if I understood correctly, as an option for trigeminal neuropathic pain but not trigeminal neuralgia and described TN2 symptoms as neuropathic pain. Just to clarify before I get my hopes up, is âtrigeminal neuropathyâ the same thing as TN2?
Trigeminal neuropathic pain is different from TN2 but there is certain overlap between them. As a matter of fact, about 20 years ago we published a theory that postulated a possible transition from TN2 to trigeminal neuropathic pain as a part natural history of this condition. Right now, we do not recommend neuromodulation for TN2, but use it routinely and frequently for trigeminal neuropathic pain.
The original webinar published by the FPA can be watched below –
Facial Pain Association Neuromodulation – YouTube
So what is MLS Treatment Therapy, and how can it help sufferers of trigeminal neuralgia?
The Multiwave Locked System (MLSÂŽ) is a new patented LLLT system that combines 905nm pulsed emissions with 808nm continuous emissions.I
It was developed by ASA Laser to help overcome some of the limitations on previous LLLT systems. The aim is to produce simultaneous actions on pain, inflammation and oedema. With the MLSŽ system it is possible to achieve strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oedema and analgesic effects simultaneously and in a short period of time.
The unique synchronised laser beam delivers a balance of the two wavelengths and powers providing safe and effective delivery. The optical design of the delivery system transfers energy up to 3 â 4 cm deep to effect tissue at a cellular level. The synchronised wave results in a synergistic effect where both the analgesic and anti-oedema effects are greater than if two single lasers had been used.
Research suggests for lasting effects from MLS Laser you will likely require 5-6 treatments depending on how your condition responds. Often you will experience a noticeable improvement after just 2 treatments.
For further information about the technology please See Here
This technology has been utilised for a number of years and research has been undertaken Successful treatment for neuropathic pain with MLSŽ: a case study.
Some clinics use different terminology, however the MLS is used to deliver the treatment.
How does it work?
MLS Laser Therapy is a medical breakthrough therapeutic device with unparalleled applications and treatment outcomes. The laser works by converting light into biochemical energy, resulting in normal cell function, which causes symptoms (PAIN) to reduce significantly.
The primary biological action of PBM (MLS) Therapy results from stimulation of cellular transport mechanisms in the mitochondria, cell membranes and epithelial tissues. This action causes the release of vasodilating chemicals, the stimulation of DNA and RNA (building blocks) synthesis, an increase in enzyme production, normalisation of tissue Ph and increased ATP production (healing of the cells from the inside).
10 BENEFITS OF MLS LASER THERAPY
An interesting in depth article covering every thing you need to know about MLS laser treatment in America, the history, the believers, the skeptics, the medical profession, the politicians and the people who use it
Pain clinics around Australia are now using this technology see below for examples – please note we do not recommend providers and suggest you discuss any new treatment options with your medical practitioners.
Introducing MLS Laser Therapy The first of its kind on the Central Coast
In March of this year, Helen Tyzack our Tasmanian Support Group Leader arranged an informal zoom webinar, presented by Mr Jeremy Russell
Mr Jeremy Russell is an Australian trained neurosurgeon who manages all general neurosurgical conditions. He has subspecialty expertise in both cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgery, having obtained fellowships in both areas at the Toronto Western Hospital in Canada. He uses state of the art intraoperative technology to perform angiograms (vessel imaging) and neuromonitoring when appropriate, significantly reducing the potential risk of stroke to patients.
Jeremy is a member of our Medical Advisory Board and is always happy to assist our members with advice and time which we really appreciate
We have been provided with the power point presentation Trigeminal Neuralgia - Mr Jeremy Russell and the recording of the meeting below. We hope you find both useful